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Severance Hall |
The choir, under the direction of Professor of Music and University Organist Donald Busarow, will perform a festival of hymns titled "Sing With All the Company of Heaven." Several choral works will also be performed. The choir from Cleveland's Lutheran West High School will assist in the concert, with two works presented by the combined choirs.
The event, expected to draw more than 1,000 people, is in support of an organization called Building Hope in the City, a Cleveland charity dedicated to "planting new urban congregations and helping revitalize existing center-city ministries."
The Wittenberg Choir, with a repertoire that ranges from Renaissance to contemporary music and includes selections in several languages, was formed in 1930. At the time, a reporter predicted in a review that the new group would go on to earn "a national, even international, reputation."
That review turned out to be prophetic. The 54-voice group is one of the most traveled college choral groups in the world, having earned rave reviews from critics across the United States and in Canada, Latin America, Europe and Russia. The choir's 26th tour under Busarow's direction is scheduled for Feb. 28-March 8 in California and Arizona.
The choir is comprised of student performers from a wide variety of majors and disciplines, representing every academic department on campus. Earning a position for one year is no guarantee of a permanent position as annual auditions are held, and selections are based on voice quality, ability to sing in tune and ability to read music, among other qualifications.
Two Wittenberg professors will also perform with the Wittenberg Choir in Severance Hall, home to the Cleveland Orchestra. Assistant Professor of Music Brandon Jones will play in a brass quintet and Associate Professor of Music Christopher Durrenberger will collaborate on the piano. Tickets cost $15 and are available at (216) 231-1111 or (800) 686-1141 and through the Severance Hall Web site.
Written By: Ryan Maurer
138-07
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